Tub forming machine

ABSTRACT

A technique, including a method and apparatus, for forming containers from expanded plastic material wherein a male mold member withdraws the formed container from the female mold member and carries the container to a position where it can be removed.

limited States Patent Schufi 1 Sept. 11, 1973 TUB FORMING MACHINE3,591,903 7/1971 Bowles 425 422 x 3,291,875 12/1966 Freedman et al.....425/817 X [761 Inventor chard P 810 2,332,937 10/1943 Schmidberger 425422 Glenn Dr., Phoemx, Ariz.

[22] Filed: Aug. 12, 1971 Primary ExaminerJ. Spencer Overholser [21]Appl' 171,370 Assistant Examiner-David S. Safran Related U.S.Application Data Atmmeypaul Wylie [62] Division of Ser. No. 23,584,March 30, 1970,

abandoned.

52] us. c1 425/165, 425/409, 425/416, 1 1 ABSTRACT 425/418, 425/422,425/441, 425/D1G. 817 I51] Int. Cl. B291: 3/06, B29d 27/04 A technique,including a method and apparatus, for [58] Field of Search 425/409, 416,418, forming containers from expanded plastic material 425/422, 450,449, DIG. 817, 436, 441, 443 wherein a male mold member withdraws theformed container from the female mold member and carries [56] ReferencesCited the container to a position where it can be removed;

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,202,734 8/1965 5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Young425/449 X PATENTEDSEPI m 3.758.250

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FIGS

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(HARD W J'cHuFF BY 9 MW TUB FORMING MACHINE This is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 23,584 filed Mar. 30, I970, now abandoned.

This invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for..formingcontainers from expanded plastic material.

More specifically, this invention relates to techniques includingapparatus and methods for forming relatively large containers fromexpanded plastic material.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a stacking chute,adapted to be disposed horizontally, that can be used to receivecontainers molded by the apparatus and according to the method of theinvention.

An object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for formingrelatively large containers.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus forforming containers from expanded plastic material wherein a moldcomponent can be utilized to transport formed containers to a locationwhere they can be removed from the molding apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a stackingchute means which cooperates with a molding apparatus according to theinvention while at the same time such chute means can be usedindependently. I

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a pivotal moldmember whereby the mold member can be extended and retracted along twodifferent lines of travel.

These and other objects will be apparent from the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the containerforming apparatus andstacking means according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevation view showing the container formingapparatus of FIG. 1 in a position where male and female mold members arein operative relationship to form a mold cavity;

of the apparatus FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1 wherein male and female mold members are shown with a containerbeing'carried by the male mold member in a retracted position andwherein part of the female moldmember is broken away toshow features ofthe invention; a V I FIG..6 is'a fragmentary side elevational viewshowing the male mold member with a container, said mold member and saidcontainer being pivoted about an axis;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showingthe male mold member with thecontainer formed thereon in an extended position;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to. FIG. 7 showing the male mold member in aretracted position; and,

FIG. 9 is a right-hand end viewof the apparatus shown in FIG. I. 7

Referring now to, the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for forming acontainer including a stationary hollow female mold 10 and a movablemale mold 11 which is adapted to form a mold cavity with the femalemold. Frame 12 provides a support means for both female mold l0 and malemold .11. Mounting frame 13 is located on support frame 12. Frame 13 isjournaled around pivot point 14 whereby the male mold member 11, when ina retracted position (as shown in FIG. 1), can be rotated angularly awayfrom female mold 10. As best seen in FIG. 6, male mold 11 can be rotatedwith respect to the female mold 10 to a position where it issubstantially perpendicular to the female mold center line. Cylinder 15provides an actuator means for reciprocating male mold 11 along a firstline of travel for longitudinal extension and retraction. When thecylinder is in a retracted position, male mold 11 is completelyretracted and when piston rod 16 is completely extended out of cylinder15 the male mold 11 will be extended to form a cavity with female mold10.

Actuator 17 is operatively positioned to rotate cylinder 15 and malemold 11 about pivot point 14 and includes a cylinder 18 and cylinder rod19. The cylinder rod is coupled to connector 20 which in turn isjournaled with lever arms 21. The lever arms 21 are connected tomounting frame 13. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 through 8, when thecylinder rod 19 is withdrawn into cylinder 18, male mold 11 and cylinder15 will be pivoted around pivot point 14. Limit switches 22 are providedto control actuator 17.

Stacking means, shown generally as element 23, are providedfor thepurpose of stacking nested containers and for removing containers fromthe previously described molding apparatus. As shown, stacking means 23is formed as an elongate chute positioned at right angles with respectto the female mold member. Frictional means 24, which are preferably inthe form of brushes, are provided in the stacking means to retain nestedstacked containers therein. The stacking means 23 is comprised ofparallel elongate panels 25 and 26. These panels are mounted on frame27. At least one of theset of parallel elongate panels is longitudinallypivoted around a pivot point 28. The stacking means also includesactuator 29 which is connected by means of actuator rod 30 to panel 25.

As best seen in FIG. 5, pneumatic assist means 35 are provided to aid inthe removal of a container from female mold 10. In the simplest form,the pneumatic assist means can be simply the provision of conduits forthe introduction of air on the bottom of the container to assure thatthe container will be removed with the male mold member.

In operation, the apparatus according to the invention works as follows:

form a cavity in whichan expanded plastic foamed container can beformed, cylinder 15 is actuated to force male mold 11 upwardly to form acavity with female mold 10. Means are provided for introducing foamablematerial into the cavity thus formed, the material is heated, and acontainer is formed in the cavity.

Since most foamable plastic materials shrink after they are formed, thecontainer 31 will normally be removed from female mold' 10 with malemold 11. However, to assure that container 31 goes with male mold l1,pneumatic assist means 35 are provided in the form of an air jet on thebottom of the container.

Once male mold 11 is retracted,actuator 17 is operated and cylinder 15and male mold 11 carrying con,-

ing means 23, as shown in FIG. 6. Cylinder 15 is then actuated such thatmale mold 11 and container 31 are inserted into stacking means 23 pastfriction brushes 24. The male mold is then withdrawn leaving container31 held by friction brushes 24 in chute 23. The male mold 11 is thenrotated back to the position shown in FIG. 1 and the series of stepsrepeated. As containers 31 are placed in stacking means 23, a stack ofsuch containers in nested relationship is formed. As each container 31is placed in the stacking means, the stack advances progressively thelength of the stacking height of containers. When the chute becomes fullof containers, actuator 29 can be operated thus releasing the nestedcontainers to further shipping or storage and leave the chute empty forreceipt of additional containers.

The above described apparatus and method are most suitable for formingrelatively large foamed plastic containers having height and majordiameter dimensions in the order of lO'inches and 6 inches respectively.Preferably the apparatus and method according to the invention can beused for the formation of foamed styrene containers.

The foregoing describes a specific embodiment of the invention.Reasonable modification and variation are permissible within the scopeof the following claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for forming a container comprising:

a stationary female mold;

a container stacking means adjacent said female mold;

a male mold relatively movable with respect to said female mold and saidstacking means; reciprocating means for moving said male mold into andout of a mold cavity defining relationship with said female mold;

actuator means to rotate said reciprocating means angularly away fromsaid female mold including switch means to cause said reciprocatingmeans to move said male mold into and out of said stacking means; and,

friction means positioned upon said stacking means to retain a containercarried upon said male mold when said mold moves into said stackingmeans.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stacking means comprises anelongated chute assembly positioned angularly with respect to saidfemale mold member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including means in said female mold to ejecta molded container therefrom and assure that such is carried on saidmale mold when said male mold is retracted from said female mold.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means in said female mold toeject a molded container includes means for applying pneumatic pressureto the bottom of said container said means being operated by operatormeans which supply a current of air when said male mold is moved awayfrom said female mold.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said chute assembly includes atleast two parallel elongate panel members, a frame, and connecting meanson said frame for positioning said members whereby one of said membersis pivotally connected to said frame for movement away from another ofsaid members to open said chute for the removal of a group of nestedcontainers. l

1. An apparatus for forming a container comprising: a stationary female mold; a container stacking means adjacent said female mold; a male mold relatively movable with respect to said female mold and said stacking means; reciprocating means for moving said male mold into and out of a mold cavity defining relationship with said female mold; actuator means to rotate said reciprocating means angularly away from said female mold including switch means to cause said reciprocating means to move said male mold into and out of said stacking means; and, friction means positioned upon said stacking means to retain a container carried upon said male mold when said mold moves into said stacking means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stacking means comprises an elongated chute assembly positioned angularly with respect to said female mold member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 including means in said female mold to eject a molded container therefrom and assure that such is carried on said male mold when said male mold is retracted from said female mold.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means in said female mold to eject a molded container includes means for applying pneumatic pressure to the bottom of said container said means being operated by operator means which supply a current of air when said male mold is moved away from said female mold.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said chute assembly includes at least two parallel elongate panel members, a frame, and connecting means on said frame for positioning said members whereby one of said members is pivotally connected to said frame for movement away from another of said members to open said chute for the removal of a group of nested containers. 